Are Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Related to Psychological Distress and Communication in Couples Facing Lung Cancer? A Dyadic Approach.
Melanie P. J. Schellekens, Johan C. Karremans, Miep A Van der Drift, Johan Molema, Desiree G M Van den Hurk, Judith Prins, Anne E. M. Speckens
Mindfulness September 6, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-016-0602-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional dyadic study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 176 |
| Population | Couples facing lung cancer (88 patients and their spouses) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Lung cancer Partner communication Psychological distress Actor-partner interdependence model Self-compassion |
| Key findings | Higher mindfulness and self-compassion were each associated with lower psychological distress in both patients and spouses, with self-compassion showing the stronger link. Self-compassion was also associated with more open communication about cancer, while mindfulness was not. The authors suggest these skills may extend beyond the individual to affect couple functioning. |
Abstract
Lung cancer patients and their spouses report high rates of distress. Due to the increasing popularity of and evidence for mindfulness-based interventions in cancer, mindfulness and self-compassion have been identified as potentially helpful skills when coping with cancer. This dyadic study examined how mindfulness and self-compassion are related to psychological distress and communication about cancer in couples facing lung cancer. Using the actor-partner interdependence model, self-reported mindfulness, self-compassion, psychological distress and communication about cancer were analyzed in a cross-sectional sample of 88 couples facing lung cancer. Regarding psychological distress, no difference was found between patients and spouses. In both partners, own levels of mindfulness (B = -0.19, p = .002) and self-compassion (B = -0.45, p < .001) were negatively related to own distress levels. At a dyadic level, own self-compassion was less strongly associated with distress if the partner reported high self-compassion (B = 0.03, p = .049). Regarding communication about cancer, patients reported to communicate more openly with their partner than with spouses. However, after controlling for gender, this difference was no longer significant. In both partners, own self-compassion (B = 0.03, p = .010) was significantly associated with own communication while mindfulness was not. A trend showed that mindfulness of the partner was related to more open communication in the individual (B = 0.01, p = .080). These findings give a first indication that mindfulness and self-compassion skills may go beyond the individual and could impact couple functioning. Future research should examine whether couples facing (lung) cancer may benefit from programs in which mindfulness and self-compassion are cultivated.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research, and Future Directions Frontiers in Psychology June 13, 2018
- The Mindful Compassion Program Integrated with Body-Mind-Spirit Empowerment for Reducing Depression in Lung Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads. Psychosocial Intervention 2025
- Comparison of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance-commitment therapy on the fear of negative evaluation and anxiety in couples referring to counseling centers in Ilam, Iran journal of ilam university of medical sciences May 1, 2021
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Psychological Well-Being of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Clinical Nursing Research April 12, 2026
- Efficacy and mechanisms of 4-week MBSR on psychological distress in lung cancer patients: A single-center, single-blind, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial. Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing January 2023
and 5 more in the library
Cites 16
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- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Stress and Health March 15, 2010
- How Does Mindfulness Training Affect Health? A Mindfulness Stress Buffering Account Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2014
- Mindfulness, by any other name…: trials and tribulations of sati in western psychology and science Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
and 11 more in the library